STS060-093-100

Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia, Australia February 1994 Most of the east coast and south end of Exmouth Gulf, at the northwestern corner of the continent, are visible in this southwest-looking view of Western Australia. The eastern shoreline of Exmouth Gulf consists of flat coastal land and channels and mangrove-covered islands. Although this region is classified as semiarid, runoff from summer cyclones can carry large volumes of reddish mud into the Gulf, especially into the eastern tidal flats. An extensive area of ancient dunes intermixed with dry lakes (parallel streaks and light spots at lower right) is visible inland from the broad coastal zone. The lighter-colored areas inland are the result of evaporative processes.